I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. 

Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, relentlessly attacking Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure. This is exemplified by the Palm Sunday ruthless missile attack on Sumy, claiming 35 civilian lives and injuring 117, thus being the deadliest attack since the beginning of the year. The brutal missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on 4 April, which claimed the lives of 20 innocent people, including 9 children was the deadliest single strike involving children, as verified by the UN Human Rights Office, since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. 

Russia’s campaign of systematic air strikes against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian critical infrastructure violates international humanitarian law and must stop immediately. As stated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, ‘the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects by Russia in a densely populated area - and without any apparent military presence - demonstrates a reckless disregard for civilian life’. 

The European Union remains committed to seeing Russia and its leadership held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by its war. It underlines that international humanitarian law must be respected at all times. We welcome progress, including on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and encourage further efforts on all work strands.

The EU reiterates its support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and international law. We welcome all efforts towards reaching such a peace. Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness to accept a ceasefire without preconditions - which would constitute an important step in the direction of peace. Instead of reciprocating, Russia continues and even intensifies its deadly attacks and has put forward preconditions for a partial ceasefire. We call on Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace without further delay. The EU is ready to play its full part in supporting upcoming steps, together with Ukraine and other partners. There can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no negotiations that affect European security without Europe.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom.